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Physics Paper 2 > Topic 6 - Waves > Flashcards

Topic 6 - Waves Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a wave?

A

A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

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2
Q

What are the two main types of waves?

A

The two main types of waves are mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.

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3
Q

True or False: Sound waves are an example of electromagnetic waves.

A

False

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4
Q

What is the definition of wavelength?

A

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest.

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5
Q

What is frequency?

A

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

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6
Q

How is the speed of a wave calculated?

A

The speed of a wave is calculated by the formula: speed = frequency x wavelength.

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7
Q

What is the unit of frequency?

A

The unit of frequency is hertz (Hz).

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: The speed of sound in air at room temperature is approximately _____ m/s.

A

343

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9
Q

What is amplitude?

A

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest position.

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10
Q

True or False: Higher amplitude means a wave carries more energy.

A

True

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11
Q

What happens when waves encounter a barrier?

A

Waves can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed when they encounter a barrier.

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12
Q

What is refraction?

A

Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.

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13
Q

What is the principle of superposition?

A

The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves overlap, the resultant displacement is the sum of the displacements of the individual waves.

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14
Q

What is constructive interference?

A

Constructive interference occurs when two waves meet in phase, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude.

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15
Q

What is destructive interference?

A

Destructive interference occurs when two waves meet out of phase, resulting in a wave of reduced or zero amplitude.

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16
Q

What is a standing wave?

A

A standing wave is a wave that remains in a constant position, formed by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.

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17
Q

What is a medium?

A

A medium is the substance through which a wave travels, such as air, water, or solid materials.

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18
Q

What is a longitudinal wave?

A

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

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19
Q

What is a transverse wave?

A

A transverse wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

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20
Q

Give an example of a transverse wave.

A

An example of a transverse wave is light or waves on a string.

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21
Q

Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

A

An example of a longitudinal wave is sound.

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22
Q

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

A

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s.

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23
Q

What is diffraction?

A

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading out of waves when they pass through openings.

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24
Q

True or False: Waves can travel through a vacuum.

A

True, but only electromagnetic waves can.

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25
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength or frequency.
26
List the types of electromagnetic waves in order from longest to shortest wavelength.
Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
27
What is the visible spectrum?
The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye, ranging from approximately 400 to 700 nm.
28
What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength in electromagnetic waves?
Frequency and wavelength are inversely related; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases.
29
What is the Doppler effect?
The Doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave.
30
True or False: The Doppler effect can be observed with sound and light waves.
True
31
What is resonance?
Resonance is the phenomenon that occurs when an object is forced to vibrate at its natural frequency, resulting in increased amplitude.
32
What is a wavefront?
A wavefront is a surface over which an oscillation has a constant phase.
33
What does the term 'phase' refer to in wave mechanics?
Phase refers to the position of a point in time on a waveform cycle.
34
What is the formula for calculating the period of a wave?
The period (T) of a wave is calculated as T = 1 / frequency.
35
What is the unit of period?
The unit of period is seconds (s).
36
Fill in the blank: The speed of a wave is equal to the product of its frequency and _____ .
wavelength
37
What is the relationship between amplitude and energy in a wave?
Higher amplitude waves carry more energy.
38
What is a wave's frequency if its period is 0.5 seconds?
The frequency is 2 Hz.
39
What are seismic waves?
Seismic waves are waves that travel through the Earth, often as a result of geological activity like earthquakes.
40
What is a sound wave?
A sound wave is a longitudinal wave that is caused by the vibration of particles in a medium.
41
What is the relationship between pitch and frequency?
Higher frequency sound waves correspond to a higher pitch.
42
True or False: All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
True
43
What is the role of a medium in sound wave propagation?
A medium is necessary for sound waves to travel, as they cannot propagate through a vacuum.
44
What is the difference between reflection and refraction?
Reflection is the bouncing back of waves when they hit a barrier, while refraction is the bending of waves as they pass into a different medium.
45
What is total internal reflection?
Total internal reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing it to reflect completely back into the original medium.
46
What is the critical angle?
The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which total internal reflection occurs.
47
What are standing waves used for in musical instruments?
Standing waves are used to produce specific pitches and sounds in musical instruments.
48
What is a wave's crest?
A wave's crest is the highest point of a wave.
49
What is a wave's trough?
A wave's trough is the lowest point of a wave.
50
What is the formula for calculating wave speed?
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength.
51
What is the phenomenon where waves spread out after passing through a narrow opening?
Diffraction.
52
What is the difference between constructive and destructive interference?
Constructive interference occurs when waves add together to make a larger wave, while destructive interference occurs when waves cancel each other out.
53
What is the relationship between sound intensity and distance from the source?
Sound intensity decreases as the distance from the source increases.
54
True or False: Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium to travel.
True
55
What is the difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave?
Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through, while electromagnetic waves do not.
56
What is a wave's phase velocity?
Phase velocity is the speed at which a wave phase propagates in space.
57
What happens to the frequency of a wave as its wavelength increases?
The frequency decreases.
58
What is the unit for measuring wave frequency?
Hertz (Hz).
59
What is the significance of the amplitude of a wave?
The amplitude determines the energy and loudness of the wave.
60
What type of wave is light classified as?
Light is classified as a transverse wave.
61
What is the result of two waves meeting in phase?
Constructive interference, resulting in a larger amplitude.
62
What is the result of two waves meeting out of phase?
Destructive interference, which can result in cancellation.
63
What is the primary difference between sound waves and light waves?
Sound waves are mechanical and require a medium, while light waves are electromagnetic and can travel through a vacuum.
64
What is the formula for calculating the energy of a photon?
Energy = Planck's constant x frequency.
65
What is the speed of sound in water compared to air?
The speed of sound in water is faster than in air.
66
What causes a wave to refract?
A change in speed as the wave enters a different medium causes it to refract.
67
What is the term for the bending of waves around obstacles?
Diffraction.
68
What happens to the wavelength of a wave when it enters a denser medium?
The wavelength decreases.
69
What is the term for the highest point of a wave?
Crest.
70
What is the term for the lowest point of a wave?
Trough.
71
What is the difference between a wave's amplitude and its energy?
Amplitude is the height of the wave, while energy is related to the square of the amplitude.
72
What is a sound's loudness related to?
Loudness is related to the amplitude of the sound wave.
73
What is the relationship between the frequency of a sound wave and its pitch?
Higher frequency waves produce a higher pitch.
74
What is the term for the distance a wave travels in one cycle?
Wavelength.
75
What type of wave is produced by vibrating strings?
Transverse waves.

Physics Paper 2 (5 decks)

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